The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in cooperation with Utah-based Charity Vision, a non-profit non-government organization (NGO), has given 790 needy children in the Dominican Republic the blessing of good vision and healthy eyes. The Charity Vision program “QuieroVer” (I Want to See) targets children from 0 – 18 years of age and engages with local Church units and communities to address pediatric eye health issues.
Over the school year 2023-2024, Charity Vision has visited approximately 16 schools and screened an estimated 9,000 students. Optometrists and nurse’s assistants participated in each event to provide eye examinations and prescriptions. The Church and Charity Vision purchased the necessary portable diagnostic equipment and prescription lenses with frames. The program used volunteers from the Church to assist in its screenings. With the support of volunteers and Church funding, the program has helped hundreds of children improve their reading skills and their academic achievements.
Elder Grant Cooper, a Humanitarian missionary for the Church, said, “It has been a joy to see their faces light up when they put on the glasses for the first time and can see clearly.” This program has seen success not only in the Dominican Republic but also in Haiti and many other countries in Latin America.